Praying For Your Child (#2)

January 9, 2013

Do you pray for your child every day? Here is a quick prayer that you could add to your evening prayer time, or send it up throughout the day as she or he crosses your mind.

“Lord, I pray that (my child) would grow in wisdom and stature and in favor with God and man.”

Luke 2:52 describes the maturation process Jesus went through, “And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature and in favor with God and with man.” This passage easily fits into my personal list of how to pray for kids. It is also item #2 on the iMOM (www.iMOM.com) list, Ten Ways to Pray For Your Child.

Let’s briefly dissect this prayer.

In Wisdom: My belief is, not counting salvation, wisdom is the most important thing that a person can gain, and therefore, it should be placed very high on our list of things to pray over our children. Sure we would like them to be smart, smart enough so we don’t have to worry about paying for college. Wisdom is much more valuable than intelligence. Wisdom informs everything we do, wisdom leaks into and out of every decision we make. Wisdom makes us caring people.

In Stature: Jesus grew up. We should pray that our kids do as well. We want our children to mature physically and emotionally. Right?

In Favor with God and Favor with man: Reputation is such an important part of character development. We need to teach our children early and often the importance of making wise choices, being a good friend (and what that means.) Honesty and integrity will place your child in a position of favor with God and man (people). Building into our kids the virtues of mercy, justice and humility will make them not only well respected, but trusted.

Praying that these virtues become a part of your child’s character will enlist the powers of heaven on behalf of your kids. I don’t fully understand it, but prayer is one of the tools God has given us to move mountains, so we need to use it. He has commanded us to pray. And using Scriptures like this one (and yesterday’s) will also give you daily reminders of what really is important as your child grows and matures.

This is not rocket science. It is much more important than that. But it is not difficult. I remember the prayers I was taught as a child a thousand years ago (or so it seems). They stick, they impress virtues upon your children, and heaven answers every prayer we pray for our kids when we pray prayers of honor and hope like the one above, and the other nine on this great list.

Do you pray for your child?With your child?

How do you think they would feel knowing mom & dad are praying prayers like this for them? How would you feel?